Love. That's what has me in the predicament I'm in now. It's what has me sacrificing my life and happiness to make someone else happy.
My parents met when my mother was vacationing in Los Angeles touring some art schools. They instantly connected and had a whirlwind romance. Soon after my mother's 18th birthday, she found out she was pregnant with me. My father tried to do the right thing, he wanted to marry her, but by that time their sparks-flying romance had fizzled out. Their connection was gone and they were already in talks of ending things when my mother found out that she was carrying me.
They decided that marriage would not be the best course of action given how much they argue so mom went back home to Oregon and left my father in California, they did however remain friends and agree to co-raise me. My dad would come visit me as much as he could. It was more often when I was little, lately he's been really busy so I haven't seen him in about a year. He calls weekly to check in on me and sends me and mom cash to help out.
Mom found a new guy about a year ago, they married a few months ago. He's a nice guy and really good to both of us. He makes her happy in a way that I've never seen before. The only problem is he travels all over the world for his business. I can see that she desperately wants to be with him but she's tied here to me. That's why for my mother's sake I made the decision to move to California and live with my dad for a while. All in the name of LOVE.
…
The drive to California was depressing to say the least. I'm going to miss my house, my room, even my bed but most of all I'm going to miss her. My mom. When they drop me off at my dad's they are headed to China for a month, but they promised to swing by and visit every chance they get. I stare out the window and press my backpack harder against my chest.
"You can always come with us, ya know." I looked up to find mom staring at me with a sad expression. I know she's hating this as much as I am. We've never been apart for such a long period of time before.
I'm tempted to take her up on it, but her and Donald need this time together. They never really got to do a true honeymoon. We went to Hawaii for two weeks but I tagged along so it didn't really count. "Nah, I have school and since I'm hoping to get a scholarship somewhere-I can't really afford to miss so much time."
"Always the rational thinker." Mom grins at me and reaches back and squeezes my knee cap gently.
"If you don't like it we're only a phone call away," Donald added looking back at me through the rear view mirror, "we can look into other options for schooling."
"K." I stare back out the window, really hoping they drop the subject. I'm afraid if they keep talking, I'll change my mind. I really want my mom to have this special time with her new husband.
We pull into a driveway in front of a small blue house. "Here we are." Mom announces with a choked tone.
"You're here." Dad rushes down to the car and pulls me in a bear hug.
This man has no sense of personal space apparently. I've never been much of a hugger. Holding back my grimace, I give him a small smile. "Hey."
He keeps his arm around my shoulders and turns to mom, "thank you so much Grace for agreeing to let her come."
"Here's your bags, sweet girl." Donald walked around the car clutching all four of my suitcases sitting them on the ground beside him and extending his hand out to my father, "nice to finally meet you, Clay."
"You too." Dad grunted with a stiff handshake.
"We need to get going Gracie, we're going to miss our flight." Donald placed his hand on mom's back. I'm not sure if it's because they're really running late or my father's natural unfriendly attitude toward strangers or just his 'outlaw' reputation, but Donald is hell bent on getting out of here in a hurry. It's almost funny.
"Yeah." Mom sniffled, pulling me in for a hug. "I love you so much baby. Remember what Don said," she whispered, "you can come stay with us anytime."
"I know." I kissed her cheek as sobs tore through her body. "Stop it mom, you're making me cry." I quickly wipe a tear away. "I love you."
She pulls back, wipes her tears, and locks her eyes on my father, "KEEP HER SAFE." Her tone was stern. My mother's sudden nervousness had me a little worried to be honest. She looks back at me, "call me every night and let me know how you're doing, how you're liking your new school, and everything. I love you baby." She puts me in her iron lock hug again.
"She'll be fine. You know Clay will take care of her." Donald's eyes dart to Clay's, to me, and then back to mom before he pulls mom back. "We've really got to go babe."
"Okay. Bye honey. Love you." Mom wipes more tears away and blows me a kiss.
"Love you." I wave and watch as the car pulls away.
Dad watches me carefully, almost as if he's unsure what to say. "How about I show you to your room?" He scoops up my bags and carries them inside the smurf-blue house. I sigh and shake my head. I can't imagine who would paint their house this shade of blue-and blue is my favorite color.
He's pointing out areas of the house as we're walking to my room. I roll my eyes behind his back. I get the gesture but at the same time the stove gave away that 'this is the kitchen'.
The room he brought me to was bigger than I expected. Hell it's bigger than my room back home.
"I just bought the bed." He continued talking. "We'll take you shopping and let you pick out whatever you want to decorate it how you like." He looks around and steps back toward the door, "I'll give you some privacy and let you get settled. In about an hour, we'll head over to the clubhouse and let you meet everyone there."
I just nod in response. Clubhouse. It's still funny to me that a 'motorcycle enthusiast' as he calls himself refers to their motorcycle club's headquarters or hang out as a 'clubhouse.' I don't know much about their dealings, all I've ever heard anyone say is they love motorcycles and are adamant that it's not a gang. I've researched the subject pretty thoroughly though so I could put up a pretty good argument against their claim but he's still my father whether it's just a bunch of old guys who love motorcycles or a gang.
…
Dad hands me a helmet and I'm looking at him like he's got two heads, "what am I supposed to do with this?" Mom never let him take me on the bike before so this is definitely new and even more frightening.
"Put it on." He grins. "We're headed over to the clubhouse now and I figured we'd take my bike." He pats the back seat behind him.
My face must have given away my fear. Hell I've never ridden on a motorcycle before. In school we watched documentaries of motorcycle crashes across the US and I've never been anxious to jump on the back of one.
"You'll be fine. Trust me. Hop on." He held out his hand to help me on the back.
When we took off I squeezed my eyes shut as tight as I could, but it didn't take long for me to open them and look at everything darting past me. This is exhilarating but still a little scary. It's more fun than I expected it to be.
We pull into a huge lot with a sign that reads Teller-Morrow. I knew he co-owned a mechanic shop but I had no idea it was this big or well known. There's cars, bikes, and people scattered everywhere. He parks the bike in a line with several others.
"This is it. This is where you will be spending the majority of your time." He motions around with a massive smile on his face. He's proud of what he has here, and I feel proud of him…or for him…whatever. I've never seen him smile so much in my life.
A woman with dark hair with a streak of blond, wearing skin tight clothing comes toward us. "You must be Tara. We've heard so much about you." She smiles widely at me, "I'm Gemma Teller."
"Yes ma'am." I say shyly.
"Gemma." She corrects. "I hate being called ma'am. It makes me feel old." She winks and heads into an office near the mechanic bays, pulling out a man wearing a vest like my father's only this one had a Presidents Patch.
"This is my husband, John Teller." Gemma states looking at him with adoration.
"You can call me JT," the man says, "I'm glad you're finally here. Your old man has been going crazy missing you."
I return his smile and look up at my dad who's staring down at me fondly.
Clay let out a loud whistle gaining the attention of everyone in ear shot. "I'd like to introduce you all to my baby girl. This is Tara." His booming voice announces. "Everyone make her feel welcome or you'll deal with me."
"And me." Gemma chimes in before her and JT leave me be.
Most smiled at me, some looked indifferent, but they all stared. It was making me feel uncomfortable.
Dad looks down at me, "I'll be back in a few minutes okay?" He answers his cell when I nod.
"Get used to the attention." A petite girl with dark hair spoke, "they all have been waiting for your arrival."
"Why?" I question, my brow furrowed.
"You're the Princess of Anarchy. You're like royalty around here." She giggles. "I'm Donna Lerner by the way."
Her statement didn't make sense to me, how can I be royalty? I've never even been here before. "Tara Knowles."
She squints her eyes, "Knowles? I thought your last name was Morrow."
"My parents were never married so my mom gave me her last name." I reply. "So are you 'royalty' too?" I felt silly making air quotations but I did it nonetheless.
"Ha," she laughs, "no I'm just a girlfriend of one of the boys here. You're the only daughter-and you just happen to be the daughter of the VP so that makes you pretty special. A princess so to speak." She giggles again. This girl is definitely very bubbly. Not in an annoying kind of way though-at least not yet.
"If I'm the Princess, where's my Prince?" I blurt out, my face instantly turning red-as red as my pale complexion can get anyhow. The filter most people have to not say every single thought they think-mine must have gotten lost somewhere.
She chuckles, "right there, the blond one." She nods toward a group of four boys walking toward us.
"Hey guys," she runs into the arms of the biggest in the group, "this is my boyfriend, Opie." She hugs him tightly. "That's Tommy, that's Juice, and he's Jax also known as the Prince." She says with a smirk. "Tommy and Jax are JT and Gemma's kids." She continued.
I swallow hard, at least 'my Prince' is hot, I nod at them, "I'm Tara." I say lamely. Of course they knew that already. I focus on not drooling or staring at the golden-haired Prince who had my stomach in knots-thankful for having an amazing poker face.
"I'm glad you're finally here," Donna's boyfriend spoke, "your old man has been driving us crazy trying to prepare for your arrival."
"Yeah, he had us doing all of the work painting and arranging your room." The smallest one in the group laughed. "We're not even prospects yet and already getting the stupid grunt work."
"Shut up, Tommy." Jax elbowed him, still staring at me with a strange expression. He hasn't spoke directly to me yet, just looking me over in deep thought. His deep blue eyes has my insides on fire and doing somersaults.
"Sorry," I say with a sheepish grin, "it looked good though." My eyes flickered from Jax, to Tommy, back to Jax trying hard to keep my expression under control.
"It was no problem, darlin'." Jax finally answered with a wink and a crooked grin. My stomach fluttered in response. He has a beautiful smile, and by the smirk plastered on his face-he knows it.
I look away quickly, thankful for the first time that my dad has finished his business, "Well I see you're making friends. That's good, I think this is going to work out great." He looks genuinely happy to have me here, which makes me feel somewhat better about the move. That along with my new acquaintances make this move somewhat bearable. Maybe this transition won't be so bad after all.
"I think it will be great too." Donna stated when I got wrapped up in my own thoughts and forgot to respond. "I can already tell we're going to be great friends." She giggles and hugs into Opie tighter.
"I think so too." I smile back at her and then up at dad before landing back on Jax who winked at me.
Dad's expression changed, "you boys need to get back to work." He ordered.
"Got it boss." Jax smirked and turned to me, "nice to finally meet ya, darlin."
"Now!" Dad's voice boomed.
The boys chuckled but did as they were told. "I'll be right back and then we'll head home." Dad followed behind the teens.
"What the hell just happened?" I question out loud watching my father pull Jax aside giving him hell about something.
"I guess he noticed you making googly eyes at Jax." Donna laughed watching the exchange between Jax and dad.
I could feel my face getting hot feeling not only embarrassed about her remark but also for whatever my dad was saying to Jax, "I was not!"
"Uh huh." She playfully rolled her eyes. "Don't feel bad, it's only natural. He's hot. He knows it and definitely uses it to his advantage."
"A player?" The question slipped out quickly. I could have guessed that. Guys who look that good can get any girl they want, and most teenage boys want as many girls as they can get.
"Sort of except they know up front he's not the relationship type. He's the hit it and quit it type, with the exception of a few who are his go-to crow eaters in training.
I squint my eyes in confusion, "croweater in training? English please? What the hell is that?"
"Sluts that hang around and 'service' the guys with whatever they may need. They're all hoping one day they will be chosen to be an old lady. She must have understood I still don't get all of the terminology because she started explaining almost immediately. "An old lady is the one they choose to be with permanently. A wife, serious girlfriend, it's the person they're choosing to spend their life with. That girl is also off limits to everyone else."
I nod. "Well, I'm not looking to be anyone's old lady and I'm definitely not a crow…whatever."
"Croweater." She scoffs. "Yeah, I don't get how they think one of the members is just going to choose to be with them after everything they do. They sleep with one member after another every single day just hoping today is the day they get chosen. Hell most of the members don't even have old ladies. They just sleep around with all of the sluts that hang around so they don't need them.
"What about my dad? Does he have one?" My eyes snap up back to where he was talking to Jax but they were out of sight now.
"No, not that I'm aware of anyways. Every time I see him, he's with someone else so I really don't think so." She looks down at her watch, "I've got to get going though. I'm supposed to be at the library. My mom will be coming to pick me up soon and she'll be a raging bitch if she catches me here."
"Okay." I chuckle, thankful that my mom was always pretty cool about where I wanted to go or with who. She trusted my judgement so I never got too much hell.
…
Dad's walking back toward me and I fold my arms across my chest in response, "what the hell was that about?"
"Just reminding him about something. You hungry? We can go get some food." He asked changing the subject.
"No. Reminding him about what?" I push, determined to put a stop to whatever just happened-or at least make sure that nothing like it ever happens again.
"Tara," he complains, "there's a lot about this life that you don't understand. Things here are a lot different than what you're accustomed to."
"I think I'm old enough to figure out how things work in the life of your 'non gang' so stop stalling and tell me what you just did." I glare at him.
"You look just like your mother when you do that." He sighs.
"I look just like my mother anyways. I'm waiting." I tap my foot realizing how bratty I'm being but not caring.
He groans, "the boys raised in this life are all about…" he clenches his eyes shut, "sex. That's all they care about, especially at your age. I reminded them that you are off limits to all of that." He motions his hand around to make his point clear. "You can be friends with them, that's inevitable, but nothing else. All of that other shit ain't happenin'."
It feels as though the wind has been knocked out of me, "this is so embarrassing." I pace back and forth. "How dare you?" I hiss. "What gives you the right to tell someone that I just fucking met that I'm off 'sex' limits! NEWSFLASH: I'm not one of these whores that you let hang around here so you didn't have to worry about me jumping into bed with a total stranger but thanks a lot for embarrassing me and thinking I'm a whore."
"Watch your mouth and calm the hell down." Dad sighs looking around. "It was a general warning. It's not you I'm worried about. I don't think you're a…I don't think you're that. I just know how these boys-especially Jax-are."
I squeeze my eyes shut to try to calm myself before I end up screaming at him and drawing even more attention to us, "I'm going to say this one time so listen carefully." I take a breath giving myself the courage to do what I know I have to, "if I wanted to be-which I don't-but if I did wanted to be one of those girls," I nod at the group of half-dressed sluts walking around the lot, "there wouldn't be a damn thing you could do about it."
"You want to bet?" Dad's tone turned harsh, he was pissed and for good reason but I will make my point clear to him.
I look around and see Jax taking off his t-shirt to start working on the Ranger in his bay. "Yes." I reply turning on my heels and pace over to Jax grabbing his face between my hands and plant my lips on his. He was frozen at first but his lips began to match mine, his tongue slips into my mouth and dancing with mine.
I spin back around and face my dad who looks like he's on the verge of murder. "What are you going to do? Send me back to mom? Go for it."
"We will talk about this at home. Get on the bike, NOW!" His stern tone normally would have made me jump, once again I'm thankful for my excellent poker face.
"Aye Aye, Captain." I roll my eyes and walk away granting myself a glimpse back at Jax who was holding his fingers to his lips, it has me wondering if he felt the same intense burning that I did.
I can't hear the conversation between dad and Jax thanks to my father's unusual hushed tone but the expression on Jax's face changed from amused to pissed off in just a matter of a few seconds.
The expression change must have been enough to tip Jax's dad off because he and Gemma are checking into what's going on between them now too.
…
The ride home was quiet with the exception of the roar of dad's bike. He was pissed, he has every right to be-but I'm not a little girl anymore. I won't let him dictate who I can or can't be with. Hell, I never even thought about kissing Jax-okay I thought about it but I never would have done it in reality-if dad hadn't been such an ass and told me I can't do it if I had thought about it.
"Tara!" Dad finally speaks to me, shouts at me is more accurate as I walk away from him into my room.
"What?" I shout back spinning around on my heels.
"I don't know how you're used to living back home in Oregon but things are different around here, young lady." He says through clenched teeth. "You will respect me; you will obey my rules. Do you understand?" He's glaring at me waiting for my reply.
"You want respect?" I cross my arms and mimic his expression, "maybe you should earn it. I don't owe you anything. You haven't been around for the past year and now you want respect?" I scoff.
"What the hell do you mean I haven't been around? I called you every week to see how you were." He defended. I touched a nerve.
"You called? A call is supposed to mean something to me? Hell if that's the case some of mom's old boyfriends must be my father too, I mean they call to check in regularly too. You weren't there. You missed Christmas, my 16th birthday-you know the 'sweet 16,' the one all of the girls are excited to get to. Yeah, well, I was excited too, but where were you? Not celebrating with me. No, my life fell second to the club or whatever-or whomever-you were doing." The anger and betrayal finally breaking through my calm demeanor. I've gotten so good at hiding my emotions, I must have hid them from myself. They were buried deep in my subconscious.
"Tara," He started but paused shaking his head, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't there." His tone softer now, "you're right, I should have been there for you. I got so wrapped up in things going on here, I forgot how much you still needed me. You have and will always be the most important thing-person-in my life. I love you so much sweetheart." His eyes are watering and most-if not all-of the anger seems to have vanished. My little outburst struck a nerve and not in a bad way. Not bad for me, that is. It got me out of the trouble that I was in, so that's a plus.
"I did need you," I sigh, "but I'm not a baby anymore and I can make my own decisions about whatever or whomever I want to be with."
A smile spread across his face, "okay." He kisses my cheek softly and grabs a beer from the fridge. His mouth says one thing but his expression says something totally different.
"You know; I wouldn't have even kissed Jax if it wasn't for you." I admit. "I was just pissed at you for telling me what I can or can't do. Making out with total strangers is not really my style."
"Just like your mom." He shakes his head. "She always did the opposite of what I told her too."
"Damn straight." I grin. "There's a little bit of you in me too, though. You're not really known for following the rules either." I walk toward my room and call back over my shoulder, "that kiss was pretty good though, I may have to try that again." I giggle when I hear him curse under his breath.
…
Folding and hanging up clothes has always been one of my least favorite chores, if it were up to me, I'd live out of laundry baskets but since I don't have one of those yet, I guess folding it is with the kiss playing on repeat in my head-the burning sensation still on my lips.
"Tara, let's go. We've got to run back to the clubhouse for an emergency meeting." Dad yells a few hours later from the living room.
A smile spreads across my lips and I grab my jacket, running for the door-a little too anxious to see a certain golden-haired bad boy my father warned me repeatedly about.
…
It must be a club wide emergency meeting. The lot was even fuller than it was when we were here earlier today.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" People shout in unison as we walk inside. Loud music, confetti thrown as I walk in, sweet 16 banners and balloons hung up, the smell of delicious food in the air. It was a party, it may not be as fancy as some of the girls back home had, but for me-it's perfect. I'm not even sure how he got this done so fast, we were just here a couple of hours ago.
I laugh at the sight; my father threw me a surprise sweet 16 party. My birthday was a month ago but it's a lovely gesture nonetheless.
"Wow, thank you." I smile at everyone. I definitely was not expecting this-especially not this many people-all for me.
"Happy birthday." Donna rushes up to me and hugs my neck.
"Thanks," I laugh, "where do your parents think you are now?"
"Here…" she answers, "if they found the note that says I'm at your party, that is."
"They might come crashin' any minute then." I chuckle.
"Nah," she wrinkles her nose and shakes her head, "I might have left out the location, just said I was at your birthday party."
"Nice." I nod.
She shrugs and laughs, "well I didn't lie."
"True." I answer discreetly searching the room for Jax.
It didn't take long to spot him in the corner by the window with a group of girls surrounding him-one in his lap.
"Wanna go over there?" Donna asks with a smirk, her eyes on Jax too.
"Sure…We can play some pool." I answer noticing the empty table directly in front of where Jax sat with his wanna-be old ladies.
"Uh huh." She leads the way stopping and letting her boyfriend wrap his arms around her.
"Hey Opie." I greet, glad I remembered his name noticing Jax didn't even look up at me when I spoke. Opie murmured his reply and went about kissing Donna's neck.
I lean back against the table and look at Jax, deciding I'd have to be the first one to speak. "Hey." I give him a small smile. He doesn't even look up at me. 'Maybe he didn't realize I was talking to him.' "Hey Jax." I say again.
"Yeah?" He answers. "You need something? I'm kind of busy here." His friendly attitude from earlier was completely gone, now he just looked annoyed.
"Don't be a dick, Jax." Donna scolded him.
"No." I reply in a small voice and he turns his attention back to the blonde bimbo in his lap grinding her ass against him.
"You ready to play?" Donna asked. I hadn't even realized she had racked the balls up.
"Nah," I shake my head, "maybe in a minute. I need a drink." I answer walking toward the bar wishing they'd serve me a stiff drink but highly doubting it.
'Am I that bad of a kisser? I've never gotten bad reviews before. Is he completely turned off by me now? What the hell? Fuck him then.' Sighing with frustration, I down the DR. Pepper the bartender handed me. I was right, my father told her no alcohol for me. Damn him.
"Come on everyone, let's eat." Gemma and some other ladies carried out trays of food. The fried chicken made my mouth water-it looked delicious. I didn't see Jax anywhere during dinner, he must still be busy with his bitch.
"Happy birthday, baby." Gemma came out carrying a huge chocolate birthday cake and the crowd burst into the happy birthday song-off key.
"I've got one more surprise for you." Dad stated with a broad smile taking my hand and leading me outside. "Happy birthday sweetheart. I hope you like it." He stopped in front of a black cutlass.
"You got me a car?" I asked stunned-my hands over my mouth. I don't even have my license yet. Mom kept putting off going with me to get it. I decide to drive it first before I let him in on that little secret.
"She's all yours." He answered handing me the keys.
"Thank you," I laugh, "this is perfect!" I examine the glossy paint and the black leather seats. This car is in mint condition. I don't know where he got it, where he got the money to get it, and honestly I don't care.
"Nice ride." Jax said walking up to me.
"Thanks." I answer quietly staring at him from underneath my hair.
"Look I just wanted to apologize for how I acted earlier. I shouldn't have been an asshole to you."
"It's cool, don't worry about it." I shake my head with a smile. At least he's being friendly now.
"Come on baby, it's my turn." Another slut wrapped her arms around him, sliding her fingers over the bulge in his jeans.
I was waiting on him to give her the same annoyed treatment he gave me earlier but instead he smiled, licked his lips and took her hand "I'm all about the service darlin'." He crooned. His eyes flashed back to me, "if I don't see ya again before you take off, happy birthday." He gives me a wink and his perfect crooked grin and pulls her off into a dark corner.
'FUCK FUCK FUCK!' I mutter to myself and climb into the car.
"You leaving?" Donna runs to the window.
"Yeah, I'm kind of partied out. I'll see you tomorrow." I roll the window up and head home.
…
"Hey honey. I tried to call you. How are you liking Charming so far? I miss you so much. Call me when you can. Love, Mom." The email was short, sweet, and to the point.
"Hey mom. Everything here is okay. Sorry I missed your call, dad threw me a sweet 16 party at the clubhouse, there were tons of people there. Oh and he got me car. It's awesome! How are things with you? I miss and love you too." I sent my reply and shut the computer down, deciding to just go to sleep.
…
"So your mom called me last night," dad stated when I walked into the kitchen for breakfast, "apparently you don't have a license so I'm not supposed to let you drive." He shook his head. "I'm supposed to take the keys."
I groan, I should have driven it a little more last night instead of just going straight home.
"Well, I think we should just remedy this whole situation." He continues before I can come up with an argument.
"How so?" I ask.
"We'll go Monday and get your license." He smiles when I jump up and down excitedly. "Until then, just be careful."
"You're going to let me drive it?" I ask stunned. I pop a piece of a pop tart in my mouth.
"It's not like I'd be able to stop you. You're outlaw, remember?" He winks. "I've got to get to the clubhouse. Come by there when you get ready. Love you." He kisses my forehead.
I nod. I'm definitely not in a hurry to go back there. I decide to lounge around the house in my pj's for a little bit and watch a movie.
Half way into Dirty Dancing, there was a knock at my door. Hopping up I find Jax standing there.
"Everything okay?" I question, shocked to see him-and embarrassed that he's seeing me in my pajamas.
"Yeah. Can we talk?" He asks. He looks like hell, must have been jumping from pussy to pussy all night.
"Sure." I step back and let him in. "What's up?"
He's pacing.
"Jax, what's wrong?" I grab his shoulders and make him look at me.
"I think we should be friends." He blurts out.
"Okay?" I tilt my head. "You came all the way over here to tell me you want to be my friend?"
"No, I mean we should just be friends." He answers. "That's all I want from you."
I force a laugh, "that's all I ever wanted too."
His brow furrows, "what about that kiss?"
"I only kissed you because my dad said I couldn't be with you. I never even wanted to be with you. I don't jump into relationships or other activities with total strangers, I do like to know who I'm dating. So I kissed you out of spite. I couldn't kiss Opie, Donna would kick my ass."
I can't read the expression he has but it looks a hell of a lot like disappointment, "Aight, then we're good. Last night you just looked upset because of the girls I was with so I just wanted to make sure you knew where you stood." He shakes his head. "That came out wrong."
"No, I get it and you're right, I'm not a 'croweater.'" I roll my eyes at the terminology.
"No. You're not. You're better than that-than them." He gives me a small smile. "I've got to get going though, mom has me and Tommy running some errands. She'll flip her shit if I'm late. I'll see ya later."
"Bye." I shut the door behind him leaning up against it. I'm normally good at reading people but his emotions and signals were all over the place. The words he said didn't match the expressions. The words seemed forced or it could just be all in my head. That's the more likely scenario, why would someone like him want to be with someone like me?